Louth County Council is considering cutting rates on empty properties for 2026. Working class people will still have to pay rates on their homes. Councillors have defended this proposal by stating that this would aid vacant property owners to more easily find residents. This is a grossly naive view of the situation with property across not just our county, but the entire country. Those who own vacant properties that have been left empty long term should not be rewarded for that, particularly when ordinary working people are struggling to get by. Property hoarders & vulture funds should be penalised, and forced to either put the vacant buildings into use or face harsher financial sanctions. A 2023 report into property vacancy by Louth Council surveyed 1599 properties and found at least 832 as either vacant or derelict across the county. Those buildings should be used, not left empty. Many of those buildings could be used for homes.  Louth Council was granted €7 Million fund to Compulsory Purchase Order vacant and derelict properties in Louth. This funding has been completely unused for 2 years in a row. This fund should be put to work immediately to take properties from their feckless owners and provide social housing to working families. People Before Profit councillors in Dublin have successfully forced the purchase of empty houses in places like Palmerstown, the same would be possible in Louth. Most councils in Ireland, including Louth’s haven’t collected a single penny from the Derelict Sites Levy in 2 years. That’s €20.5m. A figure which would be much higher now, considering the push activists across the country have given councils into recent years to register these derelict sites. This figure could fund Derelict Sites departments around the country by itself.

 Because the current bidding system is unfair, unregulated, and deeply frustrating for homebuyers.  Everyday people are misled by advertised prices, only to be drawn into unpredictable and often secretive bidding wars. This drives up costs, fuels anxiety, and locks more families out of home ownership.  This isn’t just about one sale — it’s about restoring trust, transparency, and fairness in how homes are sold in Ireland.  By joining this campaign, people are standing up for a housing system where:  • Prices mean what they say • Buyers are treated with respect • Homes aren’t auctioned off behind closed doors. Together, we can send a clear message to the Government that this system must change — for the good of every person trying to buy a home in Ireland.  

As dog ownership in Naas has increased, so too has the demand for safe, enclosed areas where dogs can exercise freely, without disrupting other park users. At present, the park does not have a designated space for off-lead dogs, which has led to safety concerns and limited opportunities for responsible dog socialisation. We believe that a designated dog park would bring meaningful benefits to the community, including: • ✅ Improved safety for children, walkers, and dog owners • ✅ Encouragement of responsible pet ownership • ✅ Enhanced social wellbeing for both humans and animals • ✅ More effective use of public green space

Ireland has long been a nation of laws — from the ancient wisdom of the Brehon laws to our modern democratic traditions. Now, it’s time to bring that legacy into the 21st century by enshrining the right to housing in our Constitution. We’ve already committed internationally by signing the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which recognises housing as a fundamental human right. It’s a powerful promise that Ireland can fulfill. By making housing a constitutional right, Ireland can lead once again — showing the world that fairness, dignity, and a safe home are not just ideals but guaranteed rights for everyone. Together, we can build a future where no one is left behind 🇮🇪☘️🤝

Every month, we see the numbers of people accessing emergency accommodation growing and growing. There are now tens of thousands of people experiencing homelessness and hidden homelessness. There are thousands of children being accommodated in inappropriate emergency accommodation. I care that rent is unaffordable for alot of people. I care that people can be waiting for years and years for a social housing allocation. I care that people are living in overcrowded, cramped, insecure and unsuitable accommodation because of the housing crisis. I care that the Simon Communities of Ireland (SCI) has been putting forward solutions to the Government for many years now.  Please take decisive and urgent action now to address the homelessness crisis. Yours hopefully Voters

Enough is enough. Sign this petition because the government is not treating the housing crisis as an emergency. People are not just statistics, and emergency accommodation should not be the new normal. More than 15,000 people remain homeless, and thousands more face sky-high rents and insecure tenancies. Meanwhile, corporate landlords continue to profit and exacerbate this housing crisis. The only solution now is for tenants and communities to take direct action. Stand in solidarity, sign the petition, show up, and take a stand.

The Tenant-in-Situ (TiS) scheme was created to prevent homelessness by allowing local authorities to purchase homes where tenants are at risk of no-fault evictions. But right now, it’s failing the people it was meant to protect. Instead of keeping renters in their homes, the scheme is underfunded, tied up in red tape and restricted by narrow criteria. Local authorities are often unable to buy properties in high-demand areas, even when the tenant qualifies — simply because they’re priced out or the home needs renovation. This is despite the fact that an estimated 75% of rental properties don’t meet minimum housing standards. People are being forced out of their homes, away from their communities, schools, doctors and support networks — not because it’s inevitable, but because the system isn’t working. Tenant-in-Situ should be a powerful tool for prevention — not just a box-ticking exercise. It's time to fix it so individuals and families facing eviction can truly stay in their homes and communities. ✍️ Sign this petition and help us hold the government accountable.#MakeTiSWork  #TenantInSitu #HomesNotEvictions #HousingCrisis #FixTheSystem Firsthand Accounts from CATU Members Affected by the Failed Tenant-in-Situ Scheme: Jenny Roche, a CATU member who was denied the Tenant in Situ Scheme, commented: “A scheme like Tenant-in-situ cannot work effectively without the ability to compel both local authority and landlord to engage, possibly in a CPO-type arrangement. Otherwise tenants- regardless of length of tenure - are at the whim of landlord greed in a 'sky's the limit' property market and/or local authority ineffectiveness. My own experience of 9 months of hope dashed 5 days before our notice of termination came due because the landlord refused the council's offer was devastating. My family had been tenants of the house for almost 20 years and the landlord expected us to vacate immediately. I had been advised by the office of my local TD Catherine Connolly's office that the scheme was 'a joke' and that proved to be the case.” Amelia Melanson, CATU member, added: “The Government’s policy not to refurbish homes is a failed opportunity to upgrade Ireland’s housing stock, which is in terrible condition. Nearly three-quarters of privately rented properties inspected by local authorities fail to meet minimum standards. Denying tenants this scheme due to refurbishment costs effectively punishes them for their landlord’s neglect. Moreover, in a housing crisis and in a climate crisis, we should not just be focused on building more housing but ensuring that existing property is safe and liveable for tenants.” Another CATU member who is facing eviction after being denied the Tenant in Situ Scheme commented: “It’s terrifying to be in this position – knowing we have nowhere else to go. It’s devastating to realise that even when you’ve done everything right – paid your rent, built a life, raised your child in a community – the system can still turn its back on you. The uncertainty is affecting every part of our lives: my ability to parent, maintain friendships, and keep working. We’re stuck in limbo – we can’t make plans, we don’t know what’s coming, and we’re carrying the weight of a crisis we didn’t create. I live every day with the fear of losing our home.” Catarina Koch, CATU member commented: “We need an eviction ban now. Eviction does not just force people out of their homes. It forces people away from their school, their livelihood, and their support network. The Tenant in Situ scheme is another powerful tool to keep people in their communities and out of homelessness. Instead of expanding this vital safety net, the Government is slowly restricting it so that fewer tenants can avail of the scheme. The Government should be listening to people who have been denied this scheme to understand what the real problems are and understand how to make Tenant in Situ work.” Another CATU member who is facing eviction after being denied the Tenant in Situ Scheme commented:“I’ve gone back to college as a part-time mature student while also working. I’ve fought tooth and nail to build a life for me and my child — to keep a roof over our heads through everything, even during illness and unemployment. I never missed a rent payment, never missed a bill. I always made sure the landlord was paid first. I’ve held this household together completely on my own, with no family support, for over a decade. Through sheer grit and determination, I’ve managed to improve our lives — only to now have our security and stability ripped away. All those years of sacrifice, of blood, sweat, and tears — it feels like they meant nothing. The housing crisis sends a cruel message: even your absolute best is never enough.” No one should have to face eviction alone. If you or someone you know has been affected by a failed Tenant-in-Situ case or is facing the threat of homelessness, get in touch with CATU: [email protected]

Protect Dublins unique Georgian architecture and cinematic history,

  Domestic abuse cuts across all genders, yet male victims face unique stigmas that hinder them in getting help. Men's Aid provides an invaluable service to these victims with its anonymous helpline but more resources are needed to expand their domestic violence helpline to a 24/7 service. At the moment Men's Aid only has it's hotline open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, that leaves 128 hours where the service isn't available every week, where calls are missed and victims don't get help.  1,310 calls to Men's Aid were missed in 2023, largely due to the helpline's closing times. A study by the mankind initiative revealed that 64% of male victims would not have sought help from their helpline, if the helpline was not anonymous. This demonstrates why anonymous helplines like that of Men's Aid can be even more vital in providing help and a safe spaces for desperate male victims who face extreme social stigma that motivates them to keep quiet publicly about the abuse they're enduring. The anonymity provided by Men's Aid helpline empowers victims, breaking the barriers of the deep-seated stigmas and fear that deter men from reporting domestic abuse they suffer. Male victims are six times less likely to report domestic abuse to the Gardaí, making support services like Men's Aid even more crucial to the journey towards rectifying this inequality. I urge you to sign this petition, calling for the government to increase its funding for Men's Aid, so this organization will have the resources to expand it's helpline to 24/7 service, . Your signature could mean the difference between victim suffering in silence, being unable to reach help when they need it most or in the moment where they're strong enough to seek it. This would help to bring Men's Aid in line with Women's Aid who has a 24/7 helpline, ensuring that any victim, regardless of their gender, can seek help whenever they need it. Please sign this petition now! 

87 houses. That's all that Carlow Council currently plans on delivering for Carlow Town.  There's 110 people in some form of Emergency Accommodation at the moment.   That's not including those couch surfing or in overcrowded houses.  There is also no cost rental and no affordable housing being provided in Carlow.  They are shafting us. And they are relying on your silence to continue do so.  If you're fed up of struggling alone, if you are desperate for some change then sign this petition and lets push the council into Compulsory Purchasing land and start directly building social and affordable houses.  They have the power to do this. Now they need the public pressure from you to take action. 

Rents have been allowed to spiral out of control for years, and most of us are paying enormous amounts of money just so we can have a safe, secure place to call home. Now, Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he wants to scrap the rent pressure zone (RPZ) system. This would mean that landlords can hike rents even more than they already are, pushing more and more of us to the brink. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all need a home where we can sleep at night, knowing that tomorrow we will wake up feeling secure. But this government wants to cater to landlords and private corporations who see our homes as an opportunity to make more money. What we need now is an urgent and lasting rent freeze across the entire country. There must be no further rent increases until this government can ensure that everyone who needs a home has one. They can do this by bringing the tens of thousands of empty homes across Ireland back into use.

Here’s why you should sign: ✅ Hold Politicians Accountable – If an elected official ignores their campaign promises or fails to take action on critical issues, voters should have the power to respond before the next election. ✅ Strengthen Democracy – Other democracies like the US, Canada, and parts of Europe already allow citizens to recall politicians. Ireland should modernise its system to give people a stronger voice. ✅ Ensure Promises Are Kept – Campaigns should not be built on empty promises. If politicians know they can be recalled for inaction, they will have a stronger incentive to follow through on their commitments. ✅ Empower Citizens – Democracy doesn’t stop at the ballot box. Irish voters deserve a mechanism to ensure they are truly represented throughout a politician’s term. Signing this petition is a step toward real accountability in Irish politics. Let’s make sure our leaders work for the people—not just for re-election. Sign now to demand change!